As we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, I propose that we make this a celebration and feast for women in the church.
Of all the people in the church my favourites are the old women, mga “manang” ng simbahan. Perhaps in all churches they can be found: attending the Holy Mass everyday, praying different kinds of novenas, serving the different ministries, touching the images in deep adoration, arranging flower decorations, cleaning the church and of course enjoying the company of other women, chatting with them, sharing laughters, teasing each other every now and then, eating together ’til their stomach hurts, and of course…taking selfies and pictures everyday! Walang sawa yarn?
But they are my favorites because they pamper priests. Yes they spoil us priests as if we are toddlers and in need of bottled milk, as if we needed to change our soaking clothes with sweat, as if me needed our asses to be wiped clean.
And most of all, women of the church defended priests…even if the priests are wrong, even if the priests are masungit, even if the priests give boring and long homilies, even if priests are stubborn and always drunk, even if priests scold them. Kahit masungit ang pari. Awayin mo ang pari at siguradong aawayin ka nila. They might make tampo from time to time but reality is, they cannot hate priests. They always love priests…
And I don’t know why!
As we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, I propose that we make this a celebration and feast for women in the church.
In the Gospel we heard the prophetess Anna. Widowed after seven years in marriage, she offered for the rest of her life everything in the Temple. There is a reason why the evangelist Luke inserted in the story the presence of this woman. It could have been deleted, t could have been excluded, but Luke made it sure it is there to recognize the value of women. They are wealth of the Temple then they are the wealth of the Church today.
As we bless the candles on this feast, let us utter some prayers for women especially those in advance age and opted to serve. Let us recognize their help and presence. Let us love them back. I am certain Jesus love them much. I am sure in the heart of Jesus there is a special place for them just like children whom Jesus loves.
We serve. We love. We sacrifice.
In memory of Her…
